Elegant matcha red bean roll with green tea sponge and sweet filling is a modern fusion dessert. A family treat with fresh, earthy matcha flavor.
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 10x13-inch jelly roll pan with parchment paper and lightly butter the surface.
Using an electric mixer on high speed, beat the eggs and sugar for 5-6 minutes until pale, thick, and tripled in volume. This ensures a light, airy sponge.
Sift together the flour, matcha powder, and salt. Gently fold into the egg mixture in three additions to keep the batter fluffy.
Stir in the milk, melted butter, and vanilla extract. Pour the batter into the prepared pan, spreading evenly with a spatula.
Bake for 10-12 minutes until just set and a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Do not overbake, as that will make rolling difficult.
While warm, invert the cake onto a clean kitchen towel. Peel off the parchment and roll up the sponge (with the towel), starting from a short edge. Cool completely inside the towel to set shape.
Once cooled, unroll the cake gently. Spread the sweetened red bean paste evenly over the surface, leaving a 1/2-inch border.
Re-roll the cake (without the towel) into a tight log; wrap in plastic wrap and chill at least 30 minutes for clean slicing.
Slice into 1-inch rounds with a sharp, dampened knife. Wipe the blade between cuts for a neat presentation.